Celebrate Jamestown's 1776 battery with May 12 encampment event

Battery Day will be held May 12 at Conanicut Battery Park, with activities beginning at 11 a.m.

Major William Blodgett, General Nathanael Greene's aide-decamp in 1776 and 1777, will be present to emcee the proceedings. The day, sponsored by the Friends of the Conanicut Battery and the Jamestown Historical Society, will feature the raising of the flags above the park, firing of cannons, and reenactment of a Revolutionary War encampment.

Jamestown Cub Scout Pack 1, fresh from their Fort Getty Camporee, will be joined by some of the Boy Scouts from Jamestown Troop 1 in a march from Fort Getty to the battery to start the celebration.

The Jamestown Community Band will provide patriotic music. The Newport Artillery and representatives of the Varnum Continentals will fire several salutes across the West Passage. Captain Tew and his Company of the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, Continental Line, will reenact a Revolutionary War encampment.

Representatives of the British and French will raise the historic flags of their nations to com- memorate their occupation of the fort during the war. Jamestown's American Legion and VFW units will raise the Betsy Ross flag. During the flag raising, the band will salute the countries with their national anthems.

Captain Tew's Company, with its camp followers and encampment, will remain on the grounds until 3 p.m., showing young and old what it was like to live out of a tent during the long fight for independence.

Come enjoy this Jamestown tradition, learn about history, and show some support for Jamestown's only historic park. To get to the park, follow Beavertail Road toward the southern point of the island. The first road on the right south of the Fort Getty turnoff is Battery Lane. Follow the signs down Battery Lane to the park.